"Faith and Righteousness"

“Faith and Righteousness”

 

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed---a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  “The righteous will live by faith.”         Romans 1:17

 

The RIGHTEOUSNESS that the Apostle Paul is talking about here, is a RIGHTEOUSNESS that God provides to those who TRULY COME to Him for the SALVATION of their souls.  It is NOT God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS, (His personal attribute), but it is a RIGHTEOUSNESS that God provides to those who come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and is provided to them on the basis of and the response to their FAITH in the Gospel.

 

 RIGHTEOUSNESS, means to be MADE RIGHT with God.  In order to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him, we MUST be MADE RIGHT with Him.  That means that we strive to LIVE a LIFE that is PLEASING to Him.  A Life that would bring HONOR and GLORY to Him and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the One who makes it POSSIBLE for us to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with the Lord God Almighty.  This is accomplished through His DEATH on the cross, and His RESURRECTION from the grave.  When we BELIEVE and ACCEPT the fact that He died for US, then we can have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Holy God, because we are MADE RIGHT with Him, on the BASIS OF and RESPONSE TO FAITH in the GOSPEL.

 

But for those who REJECT God’s gift of SALVATION, through His Son, Jesus Christ, they are NOT MADE RIGHT with God, nor do they have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  In other words, they do NOT have the RIGHTEOUSNESS God provides for the TRUE BELIEVER.  You cannot POSSESS what you do NOT have.  This RIGHTEOUSNESS is given to the TRUE BELIEVER on the BASIS OF and RESPONSE TO the FAITH they have in the GOSPEL.  The person who REJECTS Christ, has NO FAITH in the GOSPEL.  They are LOST and DOOMED to an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL it HORRORS.  Is this your fate? 

 

In order to become a TRUE BELIEVER, and to be MADE RIGHT with God.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be MADE RIGHT with God, because of your FAITH in the Gospel.  Then you will receive His RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!